Septoplasty Improves Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Patients with Septum Deviation, finds research

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas. It often coexists with several other conditions, including sinus and nasal issues such as septum deviation. Septum deviation, where the nasal septum is displaced from the center, can cause breathing difficulties, sinus infections, and other related problems.

Nurce Cilesizoglu Yavuz and Yonca Coluk from Giresun University Faculty of Medicine, Giresun, Turkey, aimed to investigate the impact of septoplasty on fibromyalgia symptoms in patients with septum deviation.

For this purpose, the researchers selected patients who were over 18 years old, diagnosed with nasal septum deviation, and indicated for septoplasty. These patients were evaluated twice: once at baseline and three months after the septoplasty.

The researchers calculated the patients' widespread pain and symptom severity scores using the American College of Rheumatology 2016 Revised Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria. They completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire to assess the patients' fibromyalgia symptoms. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to evaluate the quality of patients' sleep.

The researchers revealed the following findings:

• Thirty-five patients, 21 male, and 14 female, were accepted to the study.
• 25.9% of patients had fibromyalgia at the beginning, and none of the patients met the fibromyalgia criteria after the surgery.
• After septoplasty, a statistically significant decrease was detected in the patients' widespread pain index, symptom severity scale, total score, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores.

“While septoplasty alone cannot completely cure fibromyalgia, it can be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan to potentially alleviate symptoms, enhance nasal breathing, and improve overall quality of life for patients,” concluded Cilesizoglu Yavuz and Coluk.

“Further research with larger, rigorously designed studies is needed to validate these findings, clarify the underlying mechanisms, and assess septoplasty as a viable treatment option for fibromyalgia patients. The specific ways in which septoplasty may influence fibromyalgia symptoms are still unclear, and future research should investigate potential pathways such as improved sleep quality from better breathing, reduced inflammatory responses, or changes in central nervous system function.”

Reference:

Cilesizoglu Yavuz N, Coluk Y. Fibromyalgia symptoms before and after septoplasty: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Aug 30;103(35):e39473. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039473. PMID: 39213247; PMCID: PMC11365646.